SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SEMINAR
Wednesday 17.07.2024 at 14:00
Wolfson Building of Mechanical Engineering, Room 206
Value-Oriented Design: Framework, Model and Method
Emilia Lavi
Ph.D. student under the supervision of Prof. Yoram Reich
School of Mechanical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
The primary objective of design is to generate value. Recently, there has been a growing understanding that value extends beyond purely economic and technical factors, necessitating an embrace of the multifaceted socio-technical ecosystem. Furthermore, multiple disciplines, exceeding the systems engineering domain, endeavor to incorporate measures of value into their methodologies. Despite acknowledging the imperative role of system value, a lack of a comprehensive value notion and an accompanying framework adequately addressing the need is observed.
This research aims to equip system engineers and other decision-makers with a practical systematic approach, guiding value-oriented design and instrumental as a decision-support tool across all phases of the system's lifecycle. We introduce a universal and field-agnostic value-oriented design framework. The framework comprises a novel, holistic, multi-domain system value model and a value-oriented requirements analysis method, both developed throughout this research. The system value model is intended to serve as a decision-making support tool in system design, for engineers, managers, and other stakeholders. Its development involved synthesizing multiple data sources, transcending traditional engineering boundaries, formulating system value ontology, and designing a concise model. The value-oriented requirements analysis method aims to prioritize system requirements, facilitating efficient allocation of resources and ultimately leading to the creation of higher value systems.
Integrating multidisciplinary socio-technical factors into decision-making processes, the value-oriented design framework exposes aspects often overlooked in engineering and managerial discussions. It is expected to reveal the holistic implications of decisions while considering both direct and indirect stakeholders. Given its versatility, the framework can also be applied in contexts requiring systems thinking, such as developing strategies and policies. The framework validation purposefully extends beyond engineering systems design, encompassing multi-domain cases. The findings indicate that the proposed framework enables systematic and time-efficient evaluation of solutions and strategies, requirements analysis, and comparison of alternatives. In conclusion, this research establishes a foundational approach for embedding system value notions in design, paving the way for higher value systems.
